As we near the end of 2020, a few things crossed my mind which I had intended to write down but did not until now.
The U.S. Presidential election: I had thought Trump would win, but I don't know about this vote fraud thing, could be real, or maybe not, I cannot say definitely either way. Although, what's more important is the delusion the far right has as well as the left. Notice I don't really say the "Far" left, just left, they are the problem as well as the Far right. While many American pastors support Trump based on policies (I don't think much of the 'pastors' who would vote Democrats at this point, are they even real pastors?) not to mention the alternative would be on an atheistic path, the left based the presidential candidate on personality. Obviously, this was not possible at the time when personality of one cannot easily be publicized in something called the media. Be it true or fake news. So it looks like Joe Biden is going to be the president, it's ForBidden and his vice president Alamak...I meant, Kamala. Nonetheless, a president is still a president, I see the republicans are proven once more to be more open minded than the other side to congratulate Biden, people such as Bush, hoping to have find ways to reconcile and work together. The Democrats have not been known to do this, as their opponents are always viewed by them as wicked, evil, should never be associated with, not be treated as fellow humans, for they are baskets of deplorables.
On Covid19, I would not have thought that the country, and the whole world, would be affected in such a way for at least a year. While most preachers in U.S. preach about standing strong, asking God for help, showing love, Rev. Stephen Tong preached about examining the meaning of this all before God with humility. How we have taken things for granted until the pandemic hits. Countries like America are proven their true strength, ability and skills, be it weak or strong, it's God's hand forcing this out. Some proud ones would deny humility, calling it God's test or something, as they continue their sort of anti-mask movement to their own folly. I thank God for having this opportunity to worship remotely at GRII every Sunday since March/April of 2019. Also thanks to God for hardening the hearts of some pastors in the U.S. for not wanting to have a service online (for it is not biblical as they put it), so that I was persuaded to look to GRII. With my work, it's also a new thing. I'm sure many have enjoyed working from home (WFH) for years. I had envied it, but I finally get to experience it, thanks be to God. I never thought I would get this chance. I enjoyed it so much I really hope this pandemic would last as long as it could, or, perhaps there will be much chance to work from home.
With working two jobs, I wouldn't say a challenge, but it's definitely some struggle at times especially with NYGC facing renewal of licenses.
On theological matters, other than Covid related matters, I get to rejoin the Redeemer's Men's Fellowship on Tuesday Mornings 7AM, some times. I wasn't there much for the Revelations, but we're doing Jonah now. My favorite was Matt Mundy, an actor. I think I first saw him reading scriptures for Redeemer services and loved his read, I told Nadia, not knowing who this person was, that the reader was a professional. I get to reflect on the English history that relates to King Henry VIII and how politics used religion at the time when I watched the 3 series (The White Queen, the White Princess, The Spanish Princess) based on Philippa Gregory's novels. Quoting scriptural verses for their own understanding.
I also was able to take time from the WFH situation to read some of Ron Choong's articles which he kept emailing to us and I had not been able to find time to care enough to read. But still same old same old problems: He puts science over theology rather than the other way around. Here's a quick comment by quoting and I just do purple highlights on the problems without needing to comment on them:
LESSONS from HISTORY. If our 21st century beliefs are based on specific interpretations of the Bible by people who lived in prescientific times, influenced by what they knew, how can we revise their beliefs to represent our beliefs today? The history of the Bible itself gives us the clue.
a) Jesus’ Bible consisted of books from the Old Testament. There was no New Testament until the 4th century. It took hundreds of years before the Church decided which of the many letters and books circulating around made the final cut of 27 New Testament writings.
b) Jesus taught a revised interpretation of Jewish writings that were by his time over 1000 years old, some of which were accounts describing events that were 2000 years old. His disciples eventually wrote down their fresh interpretations which by the 4th century AD, became recognized by the Church as the New Testament. Thus the New Testament writings revised the beliefs of God fearers who interpreted the Old Testament writings. In practice, every sermon for the past 2000 years have been revisions of older interpretations. This is because the biblical texts did not anticipate every possible question we have today (such as stem cell research or IVF or organ donation) as well as future questions of tomorrow (perhaps of cloning our loved ones before they die, using technology to keep us alive indefinitely or choosing the attributes of our babies). Notice that many of our questions concern life, death and medical ethics?
c) Each generation of believers ask questions of God that preceding generations did not even think about. Christians ought to hold on to doctrines (teachings) lightly and with a large dose of humility. How often have Christians hurt each other and even gone to war over interpretations of the Bible? Indeed all religious wars were fought over interpretations, never over God. This sobering fact ought to make us mindful of painting ourselves into a doctrinal corner. Let us learn to love and worship God for one reason only – because God is.
Other side things:
I am taking a liking to this Uncle Roger on Youtube: A Malaysian living in UK and possibly divorced, which made me wonder about the truth in what Ravi Zacharias said about Malaysia being the highest divorce rate country
And other youtubers who could relate to him: